Shackelford County, Texas

08/25/2026

Shackelford County's Burn Ban has been extended. Commissioners voted on Monday, August 24, to extend the current ban another 45 days. Without further action the term will last until Oct. 9, 2026.
Pray for rain!

07/16/2026

Let's talk. I've cleared my calendar for the day. So how about stopping by the Old Albany News building (directly across from the Clear Fork Bank park), tomorrow (Friday, July 17th). I will be there to chat about Re-investment zones in Shackelford County, the one currently under construction and one that has been proposed in the Chimney Creek area on the west perimeter of the County. I'll be there to hear what you have to say, to try to answer questions to the degree that I can speak knowledgeably and just generally to dialogue together about the position we find ourselves in.
I'll be there from about 6:30 a.m. till perhaps 7:00 p.m. or until folks stop showing up. If it goes well, we'll do it again periodically.
Let's try and get together.

John Viertel
Shackelford County Judge

07/13/2026

Burn Ban is ON!

Shackelford County Commissioners placed a ban on open burning on Monday morning (July 13) for the next 45 days. Without any further action, this ban will expire on August 28.

We are hoping for moisture this week, but the dry winds and high temperatures this time of year make burning in the open very risky. We have enjoyed the break, but let's tighten up for a while and protect each others' properties.

07/06/2026

Several residents have experienced substantial damage due to yesterday's (July 5) storm winds and rain. Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) provides a link for reporting this damage to be eligible for state or federal assistance. You should know that the bar is understandably fairly high for damage totals, but it does help TDEM to assess the degree of damages due to natural (and industrial) calamities. This article from the Big Country Home Page helps to explain:
Also, here is the reporting link: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Severe weather has left damage across Abilene, and residents who experienced property damage are encouraged to report it through the Texas Division of Emergency Manage…

06/22/2026

The Courthouse will close on Friday, July 3 in anticipation of the 4th of July celebration weekend.

05/21/2026

Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day, a national holiday on which we pause to reflect on the cost of our freedoms and the "ultimate price" paid for it by so many men and women of our armed forces. The challenge to "earn this" ought to resonate more, perhaps on that day, than any other, as we seriously consider how we may, in fact, make their sacrifices meaningful.
Courthouse flags will be flown at half-staff until noon, and then will be returned to full-staff.

05/14/2026

04/28/2026

"ATTENTION!! Starting Monday April 27,2026, the Lake Hubbard Bridge will be closed. It is scheduled to be closed for 1 week. Please, give yourself time to take the alternate route. The route highlighted with green is county roads, the route highlighted in yellow is paved roads."

04/28/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Shackelford County today (April 28) until 9:00 p.m. Please be aware.